USPS First Class calculator vs. cost of shipping label

[cardwolloper]

I've had a couple of buyers choose USPS First Class as the shipping option.  In each case the label cost significantly more (2-3x) than the calculated and paid for shipping.  What is going on here?

It is nice to have a less expensive option for shipping lighter items but not when it costs more than the calculated price?  It looks like this has been an issue for the last couple of years.  I use the option to calculate shipping based on the buyer's location so I can't override the First Class shipping estimate.  Is there a way to fix this other than going back to fixed price shipping to everyone?

[coastaltechsolution]

You used calculated shipping correct?

Are you sure weight and dimensions were correct?

I ship mostly First Class and have seen this issue with calculated shipping 

You are purchasing label through eBay?

[coffeebean832]

@cardwolloper- Revise your listings and change the package type from Large Envelope (which is for untracked flats) to Package/Thick Envelope (which lines up with the tracked shipping labels you've been using).

[nobody*s_perfect]

USPS has 3 categories of First Class mail: Letters, flats (AKA Large envelopes) and packages. When you set up the shipping calculator in your listing, you can choose any of those 3 types.  

But eBay only sells postage labels for packages, so if your piece actually qualifies to be mailed as a letter or flat, you'll have to purchase postage elsewhere or just put stamps on it.

[cardwolloper]

@coffeebean832 Thanks! 

So there is no way to print a label through ebay for untracked large envelope?  Is this another case where we can use the calculator but can't print a label like with Retail Ground?

[coffeebean832]

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@cardwolloper wrote:

@coffeebean832 Thanks! 

So there is no way to print a label through ebay for untracked large envelope?  Is this another case where we can use the calculator but can't print a label like with Retail Ground?

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Correct. You could just weight them on a scale and add the appropriate amount in postage stamps. I purchase labels for flats at stamps.com.

I looked at your sold listings and not all that had the postage rate for large envelopes qualified as flats. See- InvisiClues Hint Booklet Pen Marker by Infocom not completely dry #A8

[fab_finds4u]

I'm not coffeebean but I'm happy to answer.  eBay only offers methods that can be tracked and the price of tracked First Class starts at over $3 online price. 

Ground labels are being phased out but you can still charge ground but you need to make a label at the PO which wil, be a retail rate.  For lightweight items the cost between ground and Priority are not much different and Priority would be the best choice because you get built in insurance and free boxes and envelopes and the delivery time is much faster.

[cardwolloper]

Thanks!  I'll make adjustments to my shipping services in the future. 

I don't think that ebay monitors this forum, but wouldn't it be a great service for sellers to be able to tell if they will be able to print a shipping label for a given shipping service?